Purging the Playroom!

Had I thought, I would have taken before and after pictures of this room. However, I didn't have the foresight to see this purging/organizing effort as a blog post, so all I have are the "after" pictures.

Welcome to my children's playroom. Please note, that I only have two incredibly spoiled children, I do not run a daycare (though we definitely have enough toys in our house to do so). Prior to December 2012, this room served as our guest room. After Christmas last year, we removed the "real" furniture, and moved the majority of the kid's toys to this room. It served to clear the toy clutter from the living room, and concentrated most of the toy mess to this one area of our house. At that time, we purchased the cloth bins and sorted the toys by category into the bins.




There are two bins filled with playdoh and playdoh accessories. There are two bins filled with various cars and trucks. A bin full of coloring books and crayons, another bin that holds play dishes and plastic food. A bin filled with little animals, a bin filled with Little People and their accessories, and a bin that holds various bottles, diapers, and other items for my daughter's dolls. Tucked underneath the train/lego table are three plastic bins full of legos. The toy box (which you can't see in the pictures) holds all the random toys that don't fit into one of the binned categories.

Organization of this room has been an ongoing battle for us. It seems that every time we get this room organized, someone has a birthday, and another influx of toys takes over. Last weeks purge resulted in a stack of items to be recycled, a trash bag full of broken toys to be disposed of, and another trash bag of toys that my children have either outgrown, or simply don't play with, to be given away.

The huge difficulty in cutting back on the amount of toys in our house comes from the fact that I can't seem to find time when my children aren't home to go through their toys without them. In their minds EVERY toy in our house is their FAVORITE toy, despite the fact that they haven't played with it in months or even years.

As discretely as possible, I removed the two-plus trash bags full of toys from the room. I could easily remove an equal amount again if my children hadn't been present.

Unfortunately, even though there are a ton of toys in this room, there are still toys in other areas of our house. At present, the kids share a bedroom, and that too is over run with even more toys. There are still toys in our living room, and the outdoor toys are stored in the garage. My goal, is to continue to pare down the amount of toys that they have to a more manageable amount.

As their interests become more defined, I'm trying to remove those items that are no longer used, and focus their toys more around their interests. My daughter's interests are primarily focused on her dolls at this time, as well as craft projects. My son's interests are primarily focused on cars/trucks, and the Fisher Price Little People.

I'm quite resigned to the fact that battling the amount of toys in our house will be a never-ending process until their teen years, but until that time I'll continue to wage war on the toy clutter!

Baking Soda and Vinegar - An Unbeatable Combination

We've talked about the many uses for vinegar and we've talked about the many uses for baking soda, but they are even more amazing when the two are combined!

Combine vinegar and baking soda for the following uses:
1. To clean tile - combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of ammonia to a gallon of warm water.
2. To clean your bathtub - wipe it with vinegar, and then scour with baking soda.
3. Clean a showerhead by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into a sandwich bag and tying it around the shower head. Allow to soak for 1 hour after the bubbling stops.
4. Remove carpet stains by making a paste with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Rub the paste on the stain, and allow to dry. Vacuum up the powder.
5. Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent, and just enough vinegar to create a creamy texture.
6. Clean your drains/garbage disposal by pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then 1 cup of hot vinegar. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then run hot water down the drain.
7. Clean pet accidents (or bedwetting accidents) by first blotting the area, then applying a vinegar and water solution, blot again until almost dry. Sprinkle with baking soda, allow to dry, then vacuum up the powder.
8. Remove stains from plastic and fiberglass by applying a paste made up of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts baking soda. Wipe off with soapy water, and rinse clean.

365 Day Decluttering Challenge

The Challenge: 

To purge one item from my home each day for 365 days.  The goal, to be free from 365 items of clutter!

My Rules for this Challenge:

1.      At least one item each day must be selected for removal and placed in an area designated for these unneeded items.

2.      In the event that I’m not home on a certain day (or days), upon my return, an additional item will be selected for each day that I’m away from home.

3.      If multiple items are selected in one day, this does not negate the need to remove an item on subsequent days.

4.      I will document on my blog, at least once a week, the items that were selected for removal, and the final destination of each item.

5.      Repurposing an item to be used elsewhere within my home, does not count towards this challenge.

6.      Items already deemed “yard sale” items do not count toward this challenge.

Means of Removal:

1.      Donation to a friend, relative, or charity.

2.      Selling on Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Groups, or other online venue.

3.      Yard Sale.

Designated Purge Area:

At this time, it will be my bedroom, since that is where I have been storing my stock of items for our upcoming (yet to be scheduled) yard sale.  However, I’m guessing that this area will soon be moved to the basement, since my bedroom is beginning to feel like a thrift store.

Let the Challenge BEGIN!

Vinegar - The Household Staple with Hundreds of Uses! Part 2

Let the fun with vinegar continue!!  Here are some more household tips and tricks using that magical clear liquid!!

• Rid your house of ants by spraying undiluted vinegar around doorways, windowsills, appliances, or anywhere that the pests like to hang out.
• Deter fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted vinegar.
• Clean the wheel of your can opener with undiluted vinegar and a toothbrush.
• Clean shower door tracks by filling them with vinegar, let sit for an hour, rinse with hot water, and scrub the grime away.
• Clean woodwork and wood paneling with a solution of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water.
• Remove water rings from the finish of your wood with equal parts vegetable oil and vinegar, rub with the grain of the wood.
• Remove skunk odors from your pet by wiping them down with a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water.
• Keep cats out of your garden by soaking a cloth in vinegar and setting it in your garden.
• Kills fleas by adding a small amount of vinegar to your pets drinking water.
• Prevent cats from eating your plants by spraying the leaves with a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water.
• Keep frost off your car windows by coating them with vinegar.
• Remove winter road salt residue from your shoes, or car interior by spraying with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and blotting with a clean cloth.
• Make your own all purpose window cleaner using a few ounces of vinegar and a quart of water in a spray bottle.
• Stop bug bites from itching by applying a cotton ball soaked in vinegar.
• Soothe sun burned skin by spritzing with vinegar.
• Make nail polish last longer by wiping your nails with cotton balls dipped in vinegar.  Let dry, then apply your nail polish.
• Vinegar can be used as an antiseptic on cuts and scrapes.
• Kill weeds and grass that are growing in unwanted places by pouring undiluted vinegar on them.

Beyond Baking - Household Uses for Baking Soda

Baking Soda can be used for far more than just a leavening agent in your baking! There are countless household uses for this simple pantry staple!

• Baking soda can be used as an antacid, mix 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drink to relieve heartburn

• Use it as toothpaste by mixing 1/2 teaspoon with enough peroxide to make a paste

• Rub a mix of baking soda and water on your skin to relieve the pain from a sunburn, or the itch of an insect bite.

• Add a couple of tablespoons to your baby's bath water to help relieve a diaper rash.

• Use it as a deodorizer by sprinkling it in areas with odors (inside smelly shoes, the cat's litter box, etc).

• Add it to the water in you flower vase to keep cut flowers fresh longer.

• Leave an open container of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb food odors.

• Sprinkle on your carpet, and vacuum up to freshen your carpets (and your vacuum).

• Absorb toilet odor by pouring a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and allowing to set for an hour before flushing.

• Use it to scrub sinks, showers, and counter top by sprinkling it on the surface and wiping with a dampened sponge.

• Combine with water to make a paste, and use it to clean stainless steel and chrome around your house.

• Sprinkle it around your tomato plants to sweeten the taste of the tomatoes.

Personally, I have yet to find anything that makes my kitchen sink sparkle the way that baking soda does so effortlessly!  Go dig your box of baking soda out of the cupboard, and give it a try yourself!  You're sure to be amazed!
 

Vinegar - The Household Staple with Hundreds of Uses! Part 1

Vinegar is a marvelous thing!  It really is!  This common household items has countless uses beyond use in cooking!

I've already mentioned in this post, that vinegar can be used in place of fabric softener in your laundry, but there is so much more that vinegar is useful for!

Cleaning with Vinegar:

**Please Note: Never use white distilled vinegar on marble, as the acid content of the vinegar could damage the surface**

Undiluted white distilled vinegar can be used as an all purpose cleaner.  Fill an empty spray bottle with vinegar, and use as you would an other cleanser:

• Spray counter tops and wipe clean with a rag. 
• Clean the grime from the top of the refrigerator by spraying and wiping clean with a damp rag.
• Clean grout by spraying with vinegar; let it set for 10-15 minutes and then scrub with an old toothbrush.
• Disinfect the bathroom by spraying sinks, counter tops, and cabinets with vinegar and wiping clean with a dampened cloth.
• Clean mildew and soap scum from your tub and shower by spraying with vinegar and wiping with a dampened cloth.
• Clean stained linoleum by spraying with vinegar, allow to set for 10-15 minutes and wipe up.
• Disinfect doorknobs by spraying with vinegar, and wiping dry.
• Clean a grease splattered oven door by spraying with vinegar, allow to set for 10-15 minutes with the door open, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

A diluted vinegar solution of 1/2 distilled white vinegar, and 1/2 water can be used for many other larger tasks:

• Clean the shelves and walls in your refrigerator by wiping with a rag soaked in the vinegar solution.
• Remove stains in an aluminum pot by boiling 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the pot.
• Remove wallpaper by using a paint roller with equal parts of vinegar and hot water.  Apply to the wallpaper to saturate.
• Clean fireplace glass by wiping with a rag soaked in equal parts of vinegar and water, and then wipe dry.
• Clean glass baby bottles by filling with equal parts vinegar and hot water, let sit for an hour and scrub with a bottle brush.

Other cleaning uses:

• Deodorize your garbage disposal by freezing distilled white vinegar in ice cube trays.  Run several cubes down the disposal while running cold water.
• Clean the microwave by putting 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat to boiling in the microwave.  The steam will loosen the baked on food.  Wipe clean with a damp rag.
• Clean the inside of your dishwasher by dumping 1 cup of undiluted vinegar in it, and running a full cycle.
• Clean stains and smells from your plastic containers by wiping with a rag soaked in undiluted vinegar.
• Remove labels and stickers by covering with a rag soaked in undiluted vinegar.  Let set overnight, and the labels should slide off easily.
• Remove odors from your dishcloth by soaking it in vinegar for an hour, and then drape over a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.
• Remove buildup on faucets by wrapping them in a cloth soaked in undiluted vinegar.  Let set for a couple of hours (or overnight) and wipe clean.
• Deodorize your toilet by pouring 3 cups of undiluted vinegar into the bowl and allowing to set for 30 minutes, scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
• Clean linoleum floors by mixing 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water, and mop.
• Remove paint splatters from windows by applying undiluted vinegar to them with a paintbrush.  Allow paint to soften, then wipe clean.
• Clean old concrete by undiluted vinegar and allow to dry before painting.
• Clean paintbrushes by soaking them in a pot of undiluted vinegar for an hour.  After soaking, heat the pot of vinegar on the stove, simmer the brushes. Rinse clean.
• To disinfect children's toys, soak them in a sink full of hot water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
• Clean sticky grime from your scissors by wiping with a rag soaked in undiluted vinegar.